Emma Long Park - Lake AustinAustin, Texas (Travis County)

About the City Park

In 1948, Emma Long was the first woman elected to the city council of a large Texas city; she served on the Austin City Council for 16 years. The 1,147-acre park named in her honor is Austin's largest city park, and offers a variety of recreation opportunities -- most notably, mountain biking. The steep trails of Emma Long Park, originally established for moto-cross motorcycle use, prove irresistible to experienced mountain bikers seeking to test their technical skills and endurance. The 9.13-mile bike course, consisting of steep and rocky single-track, is accessible only to mountain bikers and moto-cross riders. Hikers and walkers can enjoy the 1.97-mile Turkey Creek Nature Trail.

Nearly two dozen RV campsites are available, as well as fifty primitive (tent) campsites. Facilities include restrooms with showers, a day use picnic area, and basketball and volleyball courts. Lifeguards patrol the swimming beach on Lake Austin during weekends and holidays from May 26 through September 3 from noon to 6 PM. A one-lane boat ramp provides access to Lake Austin, and one mile of Lake Austin's shoreline is located within the park. All water recreation activities are popular on Lake Austin, including waterskiing, sailing and fishing.